Operation Bethlehem

by Yariv Inbar, Dalit Shmueli (Translator)

Winner of The 2023 National Jewish Book Awards for Hebrew Fiction in Translation. Discover a rare glimpse into the secret world of Mossad spies and terrorists with Operation Bethlehem, a best-seller from Israel.

A traumatic anti-Semitic attack during his youth led Daniel, a young French Jew, to immigrate to Israel, where he served in an elite unit and later joined the Mossad. However, his tempestuous personality caused him to lose everything. Now, years later, in complete secrecy, Daniel sets out on a private operation to restore meaning in his life.

Daniel infiltrates hostile territory and tries to locate a national treasure which is seemingly hidden on the site of a psychiatric hospital. He pieces together the clues, delving ever deeper undercover. So determined is he to uncover his personal and national identity that he suddenly finds himself in grave danger, risking not just himself but a mission far greater than even he is aware. Beyond the thrills of Daniel’s operation, Operation Bethlehem explores the existential questions and tough decisions faced by those responsible for Israel's security, probing the moral complexities of espionage and national defense.

Full of unexpected twists and turns, Operation Bethlehem documents the human reality behind the James Bond acts of espionage, leaving you pondering its complex issues long after you turn the final page. So, take a chance to discover this provocative and exhilarating novel that takes the reader into the shadowy underworld of Mossad spies and one’s search for personal redemption.

Genres: Fiction, Israel, Historical Fiction, Jewish, Espionage

340 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2023

About the author

Yariv Inbar is the pseudonym of a best-selling Israeli novelist whose real identity has been banned from publication by the Israeli authorities. His novels must pass a rigid vetting process, including the approval of a special Governmental Ministers’ Committee. With a wealth of experience from many years of serving in sensitive positions within the Israeli intelligence community, Yariv brings a unique authenticity to his writing about Middle Eastern spycraft. His novels were initially published in Hebrew, earned bestseller status in Israel, and received high praise from critics and readers alike.

Reviews

[Anouk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pros:
• Quick
• Engaging

Cons:
• Protagonist is a Gary Stu and reads like a self-insert
• Undercurrent of Islamophobia
• Simplistic writing style
• Dissatisfying ending
• “Boy who cried wolf” situation with the arrests
• Did we need to know about Yael’s panties?

[ish · Rating 3 out of 5]

That ending was bullshit

[LEEHEE BARUCH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended! To begin with, the only reason it took me more than a day to read it, is because I had to force myself to put it down. Simply said, I didn’t want it to end. As thrilling as it is, the book beautifully depicts a story that draws you in so deeply. The descriptive language makes the reading flow with such ease, through the tense parts and the calmer ones (plus the translation work here is EXCELLENT!) The writing as a whole allows the reader to dive into the characters’ lives, the plot and the thrilling reality that they live in, in such a profound way. From start to finish, this book is a huge gift to readers.

[dani]

not rating bcs this was a required reading for school but the fact that the author believes that muslims don’t feel empathy is crazy

[Frani Zumwalt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very interesting read. I have been interested in reading about people who have been in the military in Israel.

[ManOfLaBook.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

For more reviews and bookish posts visit: https://www.ManOfLaBook.com

Operation Bethlehem by Yariv Inbar is an award-winning book following an ex-Israeli spy working as a volunteer in a Palestine hospital. The author is supposedly an Israel novelist who was a member of the intelligence community, he uses a nom-de-plume to publish his books.

Operation Bethlehem by Yariv Inbar is an award-winning book following an ex-Israeli spy working as a volunteer in a Palestine hospital. The author is supposedly an Israel novelist who was a member of the intelligence community, he uses a nom-de-plume to publish his books.

This was a thrilling book, with a good story grounded in realism. Dalit Shmueli’s translation flows and makes the reading experience easy. Even though this is an espionage novel, the characters are the what drew me into the book.

The espionage world is presented with many shades of grey, staying away from black-and-white cliches. There’s no glory, glamour, or living the high life with the state to bankroll you. Quite the opposite, and as in a true shadow world you rarely know who’s truly on your side.

Daniel, the protagonist, is a well-rounded character with an admirable mission that he takes upon himself. However, he doesn’t realize all the hands pulling his strings in the background which really takes the book to another level.

Operation Bethlehem by Yariv Inbar is not your usual espionage book. There aren’t really any good guys or bad guys. Everyone is working for their own motives. Both Israelis and Palestinians are human beings and are presented that way.

I enjoyed the fact that Daniel, working as a French-Arab disguise in a Palestinian psychiatric hospital, goes on a journey of his own psyche. The moral quandaries he faces wanting to help his patients, follow his own path, and be pressured by the Mossad to work with them to prevent a terror attack are fascinating.

This book was a gem, and I’m glad I took the time to read it. A fascinating glimpse into a world where the heroes are anonymous and want to stay that way.

[מירב לוין · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book initially in Hebrew a few years ago, and when I heard that it was translated into English, I was intrigued. I finished reading it in two days, and I must say that the translator did an excellent job and was very faithful to the original. With his fabulous and talented writing, Yariv Inbar swept me again into the world of the shadow people. There is something magical about reading this hidden world, discovering what is possible, and you will be surprised that there is no Hollywood glamor in it. There are undoubtedly talented people there, but they are people - like me and you. Only they have a parallel world of everyday and impossible challenges that the job entails. This is not another secret operation that reveals the moves towards it, in and after it. Here the focus is on the characters - this is the book’s uniqueness. Suppose you thought being the Israeli 007 meant being perfect - you were wrong. Daniel, the protagonist, is a wonderfully rounded character, and I admire him because of the qualities the author gave him—many thanks to the fact that he made sure not to be perfect. The secondary characters have a significant and even surprising role. It seems like much thought went into every character. The frame stories managed to fascinate me thanks to the form of the presentation. A kind of "3D" writing that allows us to experience the book ideally. While reading, I found myself participating in secret meetings and walking in fear and without air in a dark tunnel. The characters go through impossible challenges alongside a crazy range of emotions, and they do not express the feelings that we would supposedly expect from them, as foreknowledge like to be strict and meticulous. They deal with the family, orders and procedures, secrets, principles, past... and emotions. It is highly recommended for anyone who wants to know what it’s like to be there behind the scenes.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Operation Bethlehem is a very engrossing novel about a French Jew who moved to Israel, where his grandfather was a renowned archaeologist searching for artifacts from ancient Jewish rituals.
He joins the Mossad and meets the love of his life, but diverting his attention from a mission to save innocents costs him his job. He can’t stay with his wife because of his pride, so moves back to France. However, a mystery in his grandfather’s papers leads him to come volunteer in a Bethlehem mental hospital where there may be buried relics.
His actions raise the suspicions of the Mossad, which gives him a chance.
The spycraft and characters are very engaging and it’s a great read.

[Jack Lively · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "Operation Bethlehem," Yariv Inbar crafts a tense narrative that explores the blurred lines between personal and national missions. Daniel, a seasoned Israeli intelligence operative, finds himself on a covert journey to uncover a hidden treasure within the walls of a psychiatric hospital. The novel dives deep into Daniel's psyche, revealing a man grappling with lost identity and the weight of his past decisions. Inbar's meticulous attention to detail and the moral quandaries faced by his protagonist make this a thought-provoking exploration of the costs of espionage. The story lingers, challenging readers to question the true cost of loyalty.

[Michal Snider · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book, engrossing and exciting. The author Yariv Inbar, whose books I also read in Hebrew, introduces readers to the world of secret agents. This is not another book about this or that military operation, but about the private and personal life of the hero Daniel and how the parallel worlds, in which he lives as an agent, mix together for him into a reality that is almost impossible for anyone to live in.
Yariv, builds the characters round, full and rich from the main character to the characters surrounding it. The descriptions in the book make you feel that you are not reading the book but a part of it's world, getting excited with the characters, afraid with them, walking with them and feeling their heartbeats.
I strongly recommend, and not only to the lovers of the genres, to get to know a little about the world of the fighters whose names are unknown but who act with courage and heroism so that we can live in peace and quiet.

[richard zachary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, twice!

Read it twice. First time, a bit murky in its direction. A bit of trouble keeping the characters in line. Then a couple days later, read an interview with the author. Intrigued, I re-read (skipping thru parts)
, this time focused on the essential characters and their motivations. Much better. Really a good plot and very clever dialogue. A real treat to get inside the Israeli secret service, their censorship notwithstanding. I really connected with the characters the 2nd read. Highly recommend.

[Jak60 · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is frankly unreadable.
Mr *Yariv Inbar is the pseudonym of a former Israeli secret agent, so secret that he cannot even use his real name for a fiction book (hence the mysterious asterisk).
He is a writer under cover.
And his cover worked miracles: the raving reviews (surprising how many friends an ex spy has) of this unreadable book tricked me into buying it...my bad.
DNF at 50%.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my usual kind of thing

I read Operation Bethlehem for a book club because I don't read
spy novels or mysteries as a rule but this book was nice change of pace. I haven't visited Israel so I don't know much about
the geography, but it seemed accurate and the premise is interesting.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Researcher to Spy

Intent on discovering ancient Hebrew treasure, Daniel changes his Jewish identity to Palestinian Jalal in order to investigate an area of interest, occupied by a psychiatric hospital. As he becomes more involved, his old fiance surfaces and his cooperation with Israeli spys becomes official. Suspenseful yet with poignant moments, this is an exciting read.

[Maura Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read and what a page turner! The writing is fast and smooth, especially the transition between past and present. The author provides details that are no way cumbersome or boring, but intriguing with skill and precision. I especially enjoyed the Dan Brown element mixed with romance and, of course, the love of Israel. Looking forward to his next works in English translation.

[Elizabeth Behrman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is better than you think it is, and most of the way through the book you think it is pretty good. But afterwards, it turns out you've been wrong even about what the book was about - and you realize how very good it is.

[Patrick Guggerty · Rating 3 out of 5]

left…wondering…. why u left us in A unfinished state.

The book from the start was compelling but as u developed the story of the hidden cave….And then eft us hanging…as I said unfinished..

[James P. Keeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twists and turns until the ending.

Interesting thesis about Muslims and Israelis living and mistrusting each other. The end is very vivid and allows each group to find their own. peace.

[Devorah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Read

A very interesting book. I do not know a lot about Mossad or Israel so I can’t say anything about the setting, but I found the book captivating and enjoyable! A great read!

[David Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart stopping hold on to your seats novel.

This was so excitin




g
entertaining all at the same time wondering what will go wrong. I recommend this novel to get a peak at the real struggle with Israel against Hamas.

[Carys Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The spying content was interesting but not enough to compensate for the poor writing and characterisation. At least one "twist" left me rolling my eyes and wondering how on earth the protagonist hadn't anticipated it...

[Tom DeGeorge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Timely now, but also stands on its own with a glimpse into Israeli intelligence - good pacing, fun read, a little sobering.

[Vera Levy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book very interesting the story I liked it
It is about the Israeli intelligence.

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars for me. Several surprising twists. I didn’t find the main character very likeable, but I was still invested in whatever was going to happen to him.

[Gwynn Rosen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the book. It gave you an insight into living in the Middle East with enemies/neighbors living next door. I really enjoyed the journey of this book.

[Olga Lobaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read!

Riveting...good character development.. after finishing the Gabriel Allon series by Daniel Silva, i wanted more novels with similar stories and im so glad i found this

[Barbara Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book keeps you reading

Never dull. This book keeps your interest. It probably has something to do with the present war, but it would still be interesting without the war.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real life Fauda type story, page turner and quick read

[Marge Congress · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author is former intelligence agent in Israel. The story is fairly well written, and some of the adventures are really interesting, but it just isn't a great book.

[Robert L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty enjoyable read. A little repetitious in spots. author did a good job of making the main characters alive.